Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 30: Tick-Borne Disease, Erythema Chronicum Migrans, National Microbiology Laboratory
16 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Most common symptom is erythema migrans "bulls-eye rash" (~25% of patients do not have a rash) Groin, axilla, waist, back, legs, (head and neck in children) Rash will expand and if untreated can reach >12 inches diameter. Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, body aches. Multiple rashes would indicate dissemination of b. burgdorferi. Heart palpitations interference with heart electrical signals. Bell"s (facial) palsy loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face. Meningitis - severe headaches and neck stiffness. Severe pain and swelling in large joints. ~5% of patients can develop neurological problems. 10-20% experience symptoms following treatment with antibiotics. Fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive defects, sleep disturbances. May involve an autoimmune response or possibly persistent infection. Most patients recover after a number of months. Long-term antibiotics are not thought to help. Avoid wooded areas endemic with lyme disease. Stay on paths, avoid low lying brush and long grass.
